I have for many years been a fan of the Sig
P220 pistol. It is my favorite of the Sig pistols, and
extends to the newer P227 as well.
These are excellent 45 ACP pistols. They carry well, and they
shoot well. Now, Sig has finally introduced a series of P220
pistols that are chambered for the 10mm Auto
cartridge. The Sig P220 10mm is a robust pistol, built with
a stainless steel frame and plenty of steel where it is needed.
The rails run the full length of the frame, for strength and
accuracy. Unlike many popular pistols on the market, the trigger
is steel, the sights are steel, and the magazine release is
steel. The sights are the three-dot SigLite tritium night
sights, for great visibility in any lighting condition, even
total darkness. This pistol is not built to be the lightest 10mm
Auto on the market, and it isn't. It is built to handle
full-power 10mm Auto loads and to give a lifetime of service.

This particular version of the Sig P220-10 is
a Lipsey's Exclusive offering.
Lipsey's is a premier firearms distributor/wholesaler located in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and they have three exclusive versions
of the Sig 10mm for distribution to their network of independent
dealers. The version featured here is of the traditional
double-action/single-action design, meaning that it is normally
carried with a round in the chamber and the hammer in the
downward position. The first round is fired with a long smooth
stroke of the trigger, which brings the hammer to full-cock as
the trigger is pulled, releasing the hammer to fire the pistol.
Subsequent rounds are fired single-action, with a shorter,
crisper trigger pull. If the job is finished before the magazine
runs empty, the operator pushes downward on the decocker,
lowering the hammer without touching either the hammer or
trigger in the process. Both the frame and slide are made of
stainless steel, with the slide, as well as many small parts,
receiving a matte black finish. Like the 45 ACP and other
chamberings which preceded the 10mm Auto, the P220 is a
single-stack, double-action/single-action pistol with an exposed
hammer. Wearing the famous Sig-style decocking lever, the P220
is as safe of a pistol to carry as anyone would ever desire. The
design incorporates a firing pin lock, which prevents discharge
unless the trigger is pulled. There is no manual safety, as none
is needed. The trigger pull is very smooth, and the hammer
rebounds after each shot, so that it is not resting upon the
firing pin.

Critical
specifications for the Sig P220 are listed in the chart below.
Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in
inches. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of resistance, as
measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull scale. DA is the
double-action trigger pull. SA is the single-action trigger
pull. Height includes sights and magazine base pad. Maximum
width is measured across the top of the frame, and includes the
slide lock.

Chambering

10mm Auto

Weight with Empty Magazine

44 ounces

Trigger Pull DA

8.5 pounds

Trigger Pull SA

4.6 pounds

Barrel Length

5.03 inches

Barrel Diameter

0.59 inch

Overall Height

5.74 inches

Overall Length

8.65 inches

Slide Width

1.12 inches

Grip Width

1.18 inches

Frame Width

0.9 inch

Maximum Width

1.26 inches

Trigger Reach DA

2.92 inches

Trigger Reach SA

2.64 inches

Accessory Rail

Yes

Sights

3-Dot Tritium

Magazine Disconnect

No

Magazine Capacity

8 rounds

Magazines Supplied

2

MSRP as of May 2015

$1417.00 US

As can be seen in the chart above, the
P220-10 is a substantial pistol. Having a five-inch barrel and a
beavertail frame, it is a bit longer than the 45 ACP P220, and
weighs twelve ounces more, due to its steel-frame construction.
The grips on the P220-10 are some of the best I have ever seen
on an autoloader. They are made of tough G10 material, and
shaped perfectly to fit my hand.They are of the Piranha pattern, being well-textured over
most of the surface for a secure hold, but they are not abrasive
to the hand nor clothing.

I fired the Sig P220-10 with every type of
10mm ammo that I had available to me. I try to keep plenty of
10mm on hand; especially the good (full-power) stuff.Some 10mm Auto ammunition is loaded down to 40 S&W
power levels, which is senseless, as one would do better to just
buy the 40 S&W pistol. Real 10mm ammunition is more powerful
than 40 S&W or 45 ACP, and is an excellent choice for
hunting and social work.

Chronograph
results are listed in the chart below. Velocity readings were
taken at a distance of twelve feet from the muzzle, at an
elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with an air temperature
of seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit, and a relative humidity of
seventy-two percent. I gathered together every type of 10mm ammo
that I could for testing. Bullet weights are listed in grains.
Velocities are listed in feet-per-second (fps). JHP is a
jacketed hollowpoint. JSP is a jacketed soft point bullet. DPX
and TAC-XP are homogenous copper hollow nose bullets. PB is Cor-Bon
Pow’RBall. HCL is a hard cast lead bullet. GDHP is Gold
Dot hollowpoint, and GSHP is Golden Saber hollowpoint. Glaser is
a pre-fragmented bullet. FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet.

Ammunition

Bullet
Weight

Velocity

Buffalo Bore JHP

180

1323

Buffalo Bore FMJ

200

1249

Buffalo Bore HCL

220

1147

Buffalo Bore TAC-XP

155

1395

Double Tap JHP

135

1655

Double Tap GDHP

155

1375

Double Tap JHP

165

1322

Double Tap GDHP

180

1341

Double Tap GSHP

180

1334

Double Tap XTP-HP

200

1223

Double Tap FMJ

200

1232

Double Tap TAC-XP

125

1616

Cor-Bon PB

135

1392

Cor-Bon DPX

140

1354

Cor-Bon DPX

155

1213

Cor-Bon JHP

135

1384

Cor-Bon JHP

150

1231

Cor-Bon JSP

180

1322

Cor-Bon FMJ

200

1058

Cor-Bon Glaser

115

1517

Winchester JHP

175

1246

Handload JHP

165

1288

Armscor FMJ

180

1124

The Sig 10mm is a very easy pistol to shoot
well, especially for one with this much power. It fits my hand
perfectly, and is easy to control. The double-action trigger
pull is smooth, and the single-actioncrisp, though a bit heavier than I prefer. The sights are
easy to see, and quick to get back on target, as this pistol
handles recoil exceptionally well. Reliability with every load
tested was flawless. The Sig fed, fired, and ejected every
cartridge perfectly. Accuracy testing was done with the pistol
secured into my Ransom Master Series
machine rest, at a distance of twenty-five yards. Accuracy
was, as indicated by the name of the pistol, match-grade. There
were many groups fired in the sub-two-inch range, with several
close to the one-inch mark.

This new Sig P220 10mm Auto pistol is a fine
one. Any new 10mm, to me, has to compare to my Third Generation
S&W 10mm pistols, which are long out of production. The Sig
passes the test, and is an excellent choice for someone looking
for a hunting or fighting pistol which delivers more power than
the 45 ACP, in a package that is built right, and built in the
USA.

Check out the extensive line of Sig Sauer
firearms and accessories online at www.sigsauer.com.

Again, this version of the Sig Match Elite
P220 is available only through dealers who order from
Lipsey’s. For the location of a dealer near you, click on the
DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.